Alumni gather for Swarm week celebration

The Black Hills State University Alumni Association won the award for best community organization float during the 2008 Swarm Day parade.

Swarm Day 2008 was a historic homecoming celebration. In addition to the yearly homecoming festivities several distinctive events were held to commemorate Black Hills State University’s Quasquicentennial.

Two exceptional students, Dirk Remily and Jamie Richey, were named Homecoming King and Queen. Both Remily and Richey are taking advantage of experiential learning opportunities at BHSU. Remily, a mass communications student from Aberdeen who is actively involved with the campus television station, is well known throughout the region for his original comedy “The Dirk Show.” Richey, a business student from Wewela, spent her summer completing an advertising internship in London, England.

Many former students were also recognized during the Swarm Week festivities. BHSU welcomed alumni back to campus for the 125 Accomplished Alumni Award Luncheon. Honorees included, among others, an author, entertainer, inventor, oceanographer, oncologist, entrepreneurs, podiatrist, toxicologist, scientists, photographers, attorney, surgeon, managers, government leaders, educators, orthodontist and many others.

“It was an honor to have this esteemed group of alumni together on our campus. Their accomplishments demonstrate that BHSU graduates have a profound impact in their fields. Our alumni are transforming lives,” BHSU President Kay Schallenkamp says.

Five former Yellow Jacket athletes and two teams, the 1946-47 men’s basketball team and the 1979-80 women’s volleyball team, were inducted into the Yellow Jacket Hall of Fame.

The Swarm Day parade had a great turnout of both spectators and participants. Winning floats in the parade were as follows: best overall float - Campus Apartments; best community organization award - Alumni Association; best community business entry - Hillsview Day Care; best student organization float - Theatre Society and Props and Liners.

To wrap up the week of events, Williams and Ree performed at the Young Center with their unique blend of humor and music.

“The weeklong events gave us the opportunity to honor our past and celebrate our future and we thank everyone in the community who took part in events,” Schallenkamp says.

BHSU In the News

Anything is Possible at Black Hills State University! Faculty, staff, and students are making headlines with their achievements. See what BHSU is in the news for lately. Call 605.642.6215 to share your news item.